Do you enjoy Japanese anime or are simply fascinated in some of the rarest cars in the world? Well if you do, and happen to have an extra $175,000 lying around, then the Devilman Crybaby Orochi by Mitsuoka Motors might just be in store for you by entering into a contest.
Mitsuoka Motors began in 1968 as a used car dealer and replica vehicle builder, in which it converts medium-sized Nissans to resemble Daimlers, and small Daihatsus to resemble Rileys. Mitsuoka is home to Japan and is best known as the manufacturer of the Viewt, a compact car that acquired the chassis and powertrain from a Nissan March but resembled more of a shrunken Jaguar Mk 2.
Mitsuoka Motors was recognized as Japan’s 10th carmaker in 1996 after it designed and built its own chassis that sat under a Caterham-like sports called the Zero 1, and then passed all of Japan’s stringent crash regulations. Since its recognition, the company took standard Toyota Corollas, Nissan Silvias and Honda Accords, and replaced the bodies with its own uniquely styled designs and further renamed them to the Galue, Nouera, and Ryoga.
Many believe Mitsuoka Motors may be a rip-off, according to Forbes, as its vehicles are heavily influenced by the likes of Rolls Royce and Jaguar. However, Mitsuoka’s cars all sell. Founder Susumu Mitsuoka realized quickly in the company’s early stages that there was an abundancy of Japanese buyers who were interested in something different and unique, but still held the amazing Japanese reliability. Mitsuoka Motors knew with its cars, that void will be filled.
The highlight of Mitsuoka’s lineup was the Honda NSX-inspired Orochi coupe, which went on sale in 2006.The car design received much help from a serpent, which is actually was Orochi means. The coupe features quite similar proportions to those of a Ferrari and from the nose to the rear window, the Orochi features some supercar proportions. However, the coupe doesn’t pack the supercar performance.
The car employs a meager 231hp 3.3-liter V6 engine with 327Nm of torque from a Lexus RX that’s been artfully mounted in a mid-engined layout with a 5-speed automatic gearbox.The V6 engine is not explosive per say, but it will get you up to speed quick enough. Within the interior of the coupe, you can see plenty of leather and amazing build quality.
Mitsuoka released its special one-off Devilman Crybaby Orochi to celebrate a double 50th anniversary earlier this month. It also marks the 50th year since well-known manga exponent Go Nagai began his work as a cartoonist.
The animated series “Devilman Crybaby” is directed by Masaaki Yuasa and based on a classic manga by Go Nagai. The story is centered around Akira Fudo who harnesses the power of a demon to become the Devilman and save humans from hostile demons, along with Ryo Asuka, who drives an Orochi in the series. The series is currently streaming worldwide on Netflix.
Takahisa Atsuji, who handled art direction for the anime,was invited by Mitsuoka in celebrating its collaboration with the manga series, to co-design the Devilman Crybaby with Takanori Aoki, stylist of the original Orochi. As a way to rival the anime’s color combination, a deep red and black twin color scheme was incorporated on the Orochi with a specially designed rear wing and logos.
Anyone interested in buying the one-off coupe can access their website until November q5, according to Mitsuoka Motors, and can add their name to a list, in which a winner will be drawn in early December. The price reflects the year Mitsuoka was founded in 1968, therefore, the Devilman Crybaby Orochi will set you back 19,680,000 yen or around $175,000.
